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ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- The Clarkstown Police Department has two new tools in their arsenal to use in the case of emergencies -- drones.

The drones, which cost Clarkstown about $22,000, can reach altitudes of 400 feet, and be used for such incidents as viewing traffic accidents, searching for suspects or for looking for people lost in the woods or during natural disasters. They can also be invaluable for hostage and stand-off situations, police said.

Some other uses include using the drones for crime scene documentation, train derailments and during high-risk incidents where human lives may be in jeopardy.

The department showed off their new tools during a press conference Tuesday to explain to the public what they will and won't be doing with the drones.

They won't be affixing weapons to the drones or use them for routine patrol, ordinance violations or unwarranted surveillance.

To be able to use the drones, the department has been vetted by The Federal Aviation Administration and has been granted a Certificate of Authorization to operate the drones under most conditions including night operations.

They currently have two officers that are both private pilots as well as FAA certified drone operators. Additional officers are being trained, and will be added to the program as they pass their required FAA exams.